Water supply means for steam iron steam generators



June 19, 1951 F. a. FINLAYSON WATER SUPPLY MEANS FOR STEAM IRON STEAM GENERATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 11, 1946 Inventor: Frank EFinlayson,

W His Attorney.

June 19, 1951 F. E. FINLAYSON 2,557,732

WATER SUPPLY MEANS FOR STEAM IRON STEAM GENERATORS Filed Sept. 11, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: Frank E. Finlayson,

by W

His Attorney reservoir from contacting Patented June l9, 1951 warm SU'PPLY MEANS FOR STEAM moN STEAM GENERATORS .Frank E. Finlayson,

General Electric New York Ontario, Calil'., assignorto Company,

a corporation of Application September 11, 1946, Serial No. 696,298

11 Claims. (c1. 38-77) This invention relates to pressing devices, more particularly to such devices which can be used both as a "dry" iron and also as one wherein steam is generated during the ironing or pressing operations. and sion of an improved device of this character.

More particularly, this invention relates to such an iron provided with a water reservoir from which water is fed to a steam generatin chamber where it is transformed into steam. and from which the generated steam is conveyed to the pressing surface.

And it contemplates, improved organization of vision of improved water fill means-for the reservoir; improved valve means for regulating the flow of water from the reservoir to the steam generator; and further an improved soleplate structure including means for generating the steam and for conveying it to the pressing surface; and in addition efllcient and improved means for'regulating the soleplate temperature. also, this invention contemplates improved means for venting the reservoir to prevent the building up of pressure therein, the bent means being constructed and arranged to prevent steam and any entrained hot water discharged from the the hand of the operator. And also improved means for cutting oil the flow of water from the reservoir to the steam generating means automatically when the iron is moved from its normal ironing position to its non-ironing position of rest.

In general, the improved organization of this invention results in an extremely reliable, eflicient and low cost iron.

For a more complete understanding of thi invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a vertical central sectional view taken through an electrically heated flatiron embodying this invention; Fig. 2 in a plan view of certain parts of the flatiron of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the iron of Fig. 1 and showing it in a non-ironing position of rest, parts being shown in section so as to illustrate certain structural details, and this figure being drawn to a considerably smaller scale than are Figs. '14; and Fig. 5 is an expanded perspective view illustrating certain elements of the soleplate structure used in the iron of Figs. 1-4..

Referring to the been shown in one drawings, this invention has form as applied to a pressing it has for its object the provi-' among other features, an

parts including the prostructure 2,. a reservoir iron comprising an iron and valve structure 8. and a handle structure I.

The soleplate structure 2 comprises a soleplate 5 having the usual shape-that is, it has a pointed front end I, I, and a pair of curved sides I joining the two ends. It also is provided with a smooth flat bottom 9, constituting the pressing surface. The plate will-be made of any suitable heat conducting material such as aluminum, and preferably it will be cast from the material.

The soleplate 5 is heated by means of an electrical heating element I II which preferably is of the sheathed type cast within the plate. I

Briefly, it comprises a helical resistance conductor ll mounted in an outer tubular metallic sheath l2 and supported in spaced relation with reference to the sheath by an electricallyinsulat- 'ing heat conducting mass ll,

pacted powdered magnesium oxide. This heating element is roughly in the shape progress back follow in general the of a hair pin, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the nexus or bight It being located at the pointed or point end of the soleplate and the two legs extending back to the rear thereof where their end sections l5 emerge from the rear. Terminal I511 project from these end sections. The two legs as they curved sides in Fig. 2.

conductor I l 8 of the soleplate, as clearly shown The turns of the resistance located in the bight I 4 are spaced further apart than are those in the two side legs so that a uniform temperature is produced over the entire soleplate when the iron is used as a dry iron,

that is, with no steam generation.

The top surface It of the soleplate is flat and parallels the fiat pressing surface 9, as shown. The surface It deviates from its flat plane character only at the rear where the two ends ii of the heater legs are located and where the soleplate is provided with upraised bosses I] to house these ends which incline upwardly, as shown in Fig. 1; at the center where a steamgenerating cavity I8 is depressed from the surface; and at the rear where a depressed cavity I 9 is provided. Because of this the soleplate lends itself to easy milling and finishing operations.

The steam generating cavity II is located about 2 a body I having a soleplate a slightly rounded heel end formed of com"- cavity were at the nose of the iron, as in certain ones heretofore known, and where the heat concentration is relatively low, cold spots would develop in the pressing surface because there is not sufllcient heat to keep up the temperature when the cold water is fed to the generator and moreover a cold spot in the central area is not so detrimental as one at the nose.

The cavity I8, as shown, has roughly a T- shape, the cavity having a stem "a to which the water is fed, and a cross bar section |8b extendlng cross-wise of the plate, as shown.

Steam which is generated in the cavity I3 is directed therefrom by means of a cover plate 20 to a series of steam discharge ports 2| spaced along the side of the soleplate in the spaces between the heating element l3 and the side edges of the soleplate as shown in Fig. 3, and passing through the soleplate from top surface It to its pressing surface 3.

This cover plate 20 fits to the flat top surface I6, and has in general the shape of this surface in plan view, as shown. That is, it is provided with curved side edges 2| a joined at the front, and which correspond to the soleplate sides 3; with a U-shaped rear edge 2|b which registers with the depression l3; and with a pair of end wall edges 2 le inclining inwardly toward the rear to connect the side edges 2la with the U-shaped end edge 2|b, and to cause the top pla'.e to clear the bosses H, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. The top plate 23 is secured to the soleplate by a series of screws 22 directed through it and threaded into tapped holes in the plate.

The cover plate 20 is provided with a depending marginal wall 23 which follows the edges 2 la, 2 lb and 2 lo and which gives the plate a hollow interior chamber 23a which extends substantially through the area of the plate and therefore has its general shape. This chamber is closed except as to the ports 2!, and as to an opening 23 in its upper wall through which waler is delivered to the generating cavity l3. The chamber 23a is divided into a series of channels by means of a rib 25, and a pair of additional ribs 26. The rib 25, as shown, has a U-shaped section which follows the contour of opening 24, and the legs of which flare out at points 25a into sections 25b as they leave the opening, as shown; these flaredout sections terminate in straight substantially parallel sections 21 which are spaced from the corresponding legs of the U-shaped rear section of marginal wall 23 which follows the edge 2|b. The legs of ribs 25, therefore, follow in general the shapes of the point and side edges of the plate, as shown; and their rear ends 25b terminate somewhat short of the rear ends of chamher He, and flare outwardly at a rather sharp angle, as shown. The two ribs 26 are connected to the depending wall 23 substantially where its portions extending along side edges 2|a join with those along rear edges He and which points are somewhat in advance of the rear ends 250 of the rib 25. Thence, the ribs 26 advance forwardly about midway between the side wall 23 and the corresponding adjacent legs of rib 25 and in general follow the contour of the side wall 23, as shown, but they terminate at points somewhat in advance of the points 2511 where the legs of the rib 25 flare out.

The ribs 25 and 26 partition the chamber 23a into a series of channels as follows: A central cross channel 23 which overlies the steam generating cavity 18; a pair of identical channels 23 at the sides of the reentrant U-shaped back edge 2|b, and which at their forward ends connect with channel 23 and also overlap the ends of cavity secLion llb; a pair of channels 33, generally parallel with channels 23 and which are connected at their rear ends with the rear ends of these channels by channel sections 3|, and at their forward ends emerge into a generally U-shaped channel 3|a at the nose or point end the plate; and finally a pair of identical outside channels 32 which coextend wi.h channels 33, and which also emerge into U-channel 3|a.

Preferably and as shown, channel sections 23, 36 and 3| will be somewhat deeper than the remainder by providing them in deep blister-like sections 3") of the cover plate, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Inserted in these deeper sections is fine screening 3|e which prevents drops of water from passing out of the generating cavity l8.

Steam generated in cavity l3 flows upwardly into central channel 23, thence is turned sharply back into channels 29; thence through connecting channels 3| and sharply forwardly into channels 33; and through the channels 30 into the large U-channel 3|a. From this channel it flows through ports 2| opening into it, and back through channels 32 and the ports 2| opening into them.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 2, that the various channels just described lie in a plane directly above and parallel with the highly-heated soleplate. Channel 23 lies over a part of the soleplate between the heater legs and which has a high degree of heat concentration; channels 29 overlie areas of the soleplate just inside of the heater legs; channels 3| pass over into the areas above the legs; while channels 33 are directly over the legs, and so is the major part of U-channel 3|a; channels 32 overlie areas'outside of the legs but close to them all as shown in Fig. 2. The steam therefore emerging from the generating cavity l3 follows a tortuous path which lies in a plane above the heated plate and in close relation to it. It has been found that it is practically impossible for any water particles to reach the discharge ports 2|. All the water fed to the cavity i8 is converted into steam, which is superheated before discharging through the soleplate.

As pointed out previously, water is fed to the generating chamber ll through the opening 23 in the top plate 23, and it is fed from the reservoir section 3.

The opening 25 is covered by means of an inverted cup-shaped cover plate 33 formed of a suitable poor heat conducting metal, such as stainless steel. This cover plate 33 is provided with a flange 34 which is secured to the cover plate 23 and soleplate 5 by the screws 22.

Supported on this cover 33 is the water reservpir which is defined by a bottom wall 35 and a top wall 36. The latter wall functions as an element of the reservoir, and also as the outer shell of the iron, it having the shape generally given the outer shells of modern irons. As shown, its top inclines downwardly from front to rear, and at the rear it has a down-turn edge 31 forming a heel rest for the iron. The bottom wall 35 at the front is connected with the top wall 35 by means of a front wall 33; and from this front wall back to the rear the reservoir has a horizontal cross section shaped substantially the same as that part of the soleplate over which it is located.

The. rear end of the reservoir is supported from a screw 33!) and the other of which is attached to the shell by ascrew 330.

The forward part of the reservoir is attached to the cover plate 33 through the mediinn of a water regulating valve structure,

This structure comprises a tubular valve body 33 resting on the bottom reservoir wall 35 and having a lower reduced threaded section ll projected downwardly through registered openings provided for it in the bottom wall and in the top of the cover plate 33; and this section is threadedintoanntll interposedbetweenthewall and plate, and rigidly secured in fluid-tight relation with the plate 33 in any suitable way, as by brazing, the nut thereby functioning to clamp the valve body, reservoir and cover plate 33 together. Agaskctflisinsertedbetweenthenutandthe bottom of the rwervoir, as shown.

The valve body 33 is provided with a central cal bore 43. and with lateral bores ll connectingtheboreflwith thelowerpartofthe reservoir; and at the lower endof bore 43 there isa ischargeportandvalveseatl ithrough which water from the reservoir into the chamber IS. The soleplate is provided with a relatively small inclined reces lib which receives and stabilizes therearendofthechu The port 45 is controlled by a tubular needle valve I mounted on a stem II which is threaded in the valve body, as shown, whereby its position with relation to the port may be regulated by ro- The upper end of the stem a. bore II and nserted in this end of an operating shaft 43 which extends on upwardly in alignment with the valve stem 41. The end of the shaft 43 carries a transvers pin 5., the ends of which are received in slots 5| provided for them in the stem 41 thereby to eifect a driving connection between the shaft and stem. and also permitting the shaft to be deprwed in the stem and relative to it. Rotation of shaft 49 rotates the valve stem 41 to egulate the needle valve 48 with reference is provided with bore is the lower toitsport|5.

This structm-e, as shown, comprises a handgrasping portion 53 extending from the front to the rear end of the reservoir top wall 38 and supported at these ends by upright standards 54 and 55. 53, 54 and 55 prefthe valve and lar nut whereby ed into the tube, as shown. and which has a tubular extension 0 down in the tube. The lower end of the extension is open, but normally closed by a disk valve 6! rigidly secured to the shaft 43. This valve is biased to close the tubular nut by means of a compression spring 62 mounted on the shaft is with its upper end bearing against collar 83 on shaft 49 and abutting against the upper end of the valve stem ll. It will be observed that when the shaft is depressed the valve 6| will be moved downwardly to open the tubuwater poured into its top will fill tube into the reservoir. The nut is provided with a funnel-like flared top 34 to facilitate the flow of water into it.

The valve 6| comprises a flat metal disk rigidly fastened to shaft 49, and covered by a sealing layer ila which engages the tubular nut to close it. This layer is formed of rubber or some similar suitable yielding sealing material. This layer flow down the when closed has the added function of frictionally e aging the valve seat to prevent accidental rotation of the shaft 49 which the iron is in operation, because of the vibration, etc.

The shaft 49 extends on up through the cupshaped nut 59, and on its upper end there is at tached a solid operating knob 65 which is positioncd in a larger bore 66 provided in the top of the front handle section, and which is in alignment with the bore 54a. The top portion of this knob protrudes from the top of the bore 65 so as to be accessible for operation. Water is introduced into this bore 66 through an inclined passage 81 formed in the handle to the rear of the bore, as shown. Thus, to fill the reservoir the knob is depressed to open the valve GI, and water is poured into the chute 61. Downward movement of the knob is limited by means of a lower extension 68 which engages the bottom wall of the bore 66 for this purpose. Also, it coacts with a stop 68a in the bore 66 to limit the rotary motion of the knob from a, fully closed needle valve position to a fully opened needle valve position.

As indicated, to fill the reservoir it is necessary to depress the knob 65 to open fill valve 6|. This operationvis further utilized to operate means automatically to clean out the how valve discharge port 45. This is accomplished by a clean out pin 69 which is attached to the valve shaft 43 and extends down through the valve stem 41 and the needle valve 46, as shown. In its normal position it is retracted into the needle valve so ever, when the knob 65 is depressed to fill, the pin is forced down through the port 45 and thereby cleans out any scale or deposit which might have gotten into it.

In the upper forward there is provided part of the fill tube 52, a. vent opening 10 which is located above the level of the valve GI and which functions to vent the reservoir as it is being filled. It will be observed that by reason of this arrangement the reservoir and fill tube may be completely filled up to the level of the valve 6 I The vent orifice 10 also prevents any possible building up of steam pressure in the reservoir maintaining these chambers at atmospheric pressure. While the reservoir is spaced thermally away from the soleplate strucits lower end bearing against a Should this happen the steam will discharge through the vent II and the steam and any entrained water will emerge into an annular space H formed between the fill tube 52 and handle liner 56 the latter havi a diameter suiliciently large to provide this annular space. These fluids will pass down the annular space to the bottom where they will emerge through the lateral space between the handle and top of reservoir. It will be observed that the vent means directs any discharging steam and hot water away from the hand of the operator grasping the handle so as to obviate any possibility ofburns.

The rear handle section 55 is provided with a seat I! which coacts with the end 31 of the reservoir to form rest means to support the iron in an up-ended non-operating position of rest, as shown in Fig. 4, wherein the soleplate lies back of the true vertical by an angle slightly less than The discharge port of the flow valve is located close to the reservoir front wall 3| so that even though this port be open and the reservoir and fill tube be completely filled with water, when the iron is so up-ended very little water will flow out of the port to the steam generating chamber II. In order to locate the vent port III at the highest level in the reservoirfill tube water system and thereby prevent the loss of water through it when the iron is in the rest position of Fig. 4, as well as in the ironing position of Fig. 1, the fill tube is inclined forwardly from the true vertical through an angle slightly larger than is the angle between the rest line, passing through rest points 31 and 12, indicated by numeral I3 in Fig. 1, and the true vertical; as pointed out previously, this latter angle is slightly less than 10, therefore, the tube may be inclined forwardly through an angle of 10. Thus, when the iron is up-ended, the port It will be located at a point above the highest water level in the reservoir-fill tube system.

The sleeve 56, and the valve structure, and handle bores 54a and it also are inclined forwardly through the same angle along with the fill tube 82, as shown. The reservoir's bottom wall I! and the cover plate 33 are appropriately inclined at the point where the valve structure is attached to them. as shown.

The electric heater II is controlled responsively to the soleplate temperature by means of a thermostatic switch ll which preferably and as shown is the thermostatic switch described and claimed in my copending application. Serial No. 676,909,'filed June 15, 1946, and asigned to the assignee of the instant application. This thermostat is mounted on a seat IS on the soleplate and overhangs the recess I! at the rear. It includes a switch (not shown) which is connected in series with the heating element and supply conductors It so that when the switch is closed the heater is energized, and when it is opened responsively to the operation of the thermostat as the soleplate temperature rises, the heater is deenergized, all to hold a selected temperature in the soleplate. The temperature selected is set by a knob 11 accessible above the reservoir and connected with the thermostat by a lever II and shaft IO. This shaft passes through a cylinder ll interposed between the upper and lower walls of the reservoir, as shown. A similar cylinder 8| is provided whereby access can be had to the thermostat's calibration screw II.

The bottom wall 35 of the reservoir is pro- 8 vided with a longitudinal central reentrant section '3 to provide space for the thermostat, and also with a deeper reentrant section '4 at the rear through which the supply leads 16 are directed.

A decorative cover plate is mounted over the central area of the reservoir's top wall and between the lower ends of the handles front and rear standards 54 and 55, as shown.

In the operation of the iron, it will be understood that the reservoir will be filled with water by depressing the knob 65 and pouring the water from a pitcher or other suitable vessel into the chute II. Preferably, the knob will be pushed down until the stop GI engages the bottom of the bore 66. This will leave a sufilcient circular space under the knob to accommodate the water admitted into the chute 61. When the knob is depressed it opens the fill valve I and the water which is fed into the chute flows directly down the fill tube and into the reservoir. It will be understood that the water may be poured until the water rises up into the till tube substantially to the level of the valve, if this be desired. As previously pointed out, when the knob 65 is depressed it automatically depresses the pin 89 through the valve port 45 so as to clean it out.

Then the iron will be plugged in to its electrical supply source and when it has been heated to the temperature set by knob 11, the knob $5 will be rotated to open the needle valve 46 to obtain a flow of water which will produce the desired rate of steam generation.

When the iron is placed in its upright position of rest shown in Fig. 4, the water level in the reservoir will be below the discharge port 45, except when the tank is full at the very start of the ironing operation there will be a small quantity of water above this port which will flow on into the steam generator. When the iron is upended the vent port III will be located above the maximum water level, as explained, so that it will be impossible for any of the water to flow out of this port; also, inasmuch as the flow valve 6| will now be closed. water cannot flow out 01. the openin in the nut 59.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention in its broader aspects and I therefore. aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A steam iron comprising a soleplate having a pressing surface, a steam generator on the iron, steam passage means leading from said generator to said pressing surface, a water reservoir over the generator having a valve controlled port for feeding water to said generator, a fill tube fixed to and extending up from said reservoir having an opening at the top for receiving water and an opening at the bottom discharging into said reservoir, a handle for the iron and rescrvoir, said handle having a bore therein receiving said tube, a liner in said bore provided with an inturned flange at the top resting on the top of said tube and an out-turned flange at the bottom upon which said handle is supported and means detachably clamping said inturned flange to said tube and said handle to said liner.

2. A steam iron comprising a soleplate having a pressing surface, a steam generator on the iron, steam passage means leading from said generator to said pressing surface, a water reservoir over the generator having a valve controlled port for feeding water to said generator, a fill tube fixed to and extending up from said reservoir having an opening at the top for receiving water and an opening at the bottom discharging into said reservoir, a handle for the iron and reservoir, said handle having a bore therein receiving said tube, a liner in said bore provided with an intumed flange at the top resting on the top of said tube and an out-turned flange at the bottom upon which said handle is supported, a nut threaded in the top of said tube with a portion engaging said handle and said inturned flange to clamp said inturned flange to said tube and said handle to said liner, and said nut having a passage therethrough through which water is admitted to said tube.

3. A steam iron comprising a soleplate having a pressing surface, a steam generator on the iron, steam passage means leading from said gen erator to. said pressing surface, a water reservoir over the generator having a valve controlled port for feeding water to said generator, a fill nut threaded in the top of said tube with a portion detachably engaging said handle and said inturned flange to clamp said inturned flange to said tube and said handle to said liner, said nut having a passageway therethrough through which water is admitted to said tube, a valve controlling said passageway, said bore in said handle continuing on up into a section located abovesaid nut and valve, an operating knob for said valve positioned in said section, and said handle having a fill passageway at the side of said knob and emptying into said bore at a point below said knob.

4. A steam iron comprising a soleplate having a pressing surface, a steam generator, steam passage means leading from said generator to said pressing surface, a water reservoir having a port for feeding water to said generator, a fill tube fixed to and extending from said reservoir, a handle above said reservoir having a bore therein receiving said tube, a valve for controlling said port to regulate the rate of feed of water therethrough, an operating shaft for said valve ex-' tending up through said fill tube and projecting up into said bore above the tube, a knob inthe upper part of said bore for operating said shaft, and a water fill passage in said handle at one side of said knob discharging into said bore at a point below said knob.

. 5. A steam ironcomprising a pressing body having a water reservoir, a fill tube fixed to and extending up from said reservoir, a valve in the upper end of said tube for. closing it, a handle above said reservoir having a bore into which said flll tube extends, a. knob in the upper part of said bore above said valve, means connecting said knob with said valve in such manner that the valveis opened when the knob is depressed, a water fill passageway in said handle at one limiting the downward movement of said knob so as to leave a fill space between the valve and knob in conmiunication with said fill passageway.

6. A steam iron comprising a pressing body having a water reservoir, a fill tube fixed to and extending up from said reservoir, a valve in the upper end of said tube for closing it, means for opening said valve, a handle above said reservoir having a bore into which said flll tube extends, said bore having a diameter sufficiently large to provide an annular space between said fill tube and said bore, and said handle spaced above said reservoir so that a space is provided between the handle and reservoir communicating with said annular space at the bottom, and a vent port in the upper part of said tube opening into said annular space, whereby discharge from the vent passes from the annular space to the bottom space between handle and reservoir.

7. A steam iron comprising a pressing body having a water reservoir, a fill tube fixed to and extending up from said reservoir, a tubular fill member fitted to the upper end of said tube and extending down into it and having a diameter sufficiently small to leave an annular space between it and said fill tube, a valve closing the lower end of said fill member, means for operating said valve to open and close said end, a handle above said reservoir having a bore into which said fill tube extends, said bore having a diameter sufiiciently large to provide an annular space between said fill tube and said bore, and

said handle spaced above said reservoir so that a space is provided between the handle and reservoir which communicates with said annular space at its lower end, and a vent port in the tube in said annular space 7 upper part of said between said fill member and said tube, and opening into said annular space between said fill tube and said bore.

8. A steam iron comprising a pressing bodyv having a soleplate pressing surface, a reservoir above said pressing surface, said body also having a front end and a heel end and support means at said heel end lying in a plane inclined forwardly from the vertical through a predetermined angle and arranged to support said body in an up-ended non-ironing position of rest, a water fill tube extending up from the front end of said reservoir, valve means for closing and opening the upper end of said tube, avent port in the upper forward part of said tube for venting the tube and reservoir, and said tube being inclined forwardly through an angle greater than said predetermined angle so that said port is the reservoir-tube system when the iron is in said up-ended position of rest.

9. A steam iron comprising a pressing body having a soleplate pressing surface, a, reservoir above said pressing surface, said body also having a front end and a heel end and support means at said heel end lying in a, plane inclined forwardly from the vertical through a predetermined angle and arranged to support said body in an up-ended non-ironing position of rest, a water fill tube extending up from the front 'end of said reservoir, a tubular fill member fitted into the upper end of said tube and extending down'into it and having a diameter sufiiciently small to leave an annular space between it andsaid fill tube, a valve closing the lower end of said fill knob, and stop means for member, means for operating said valve to open and close said end. a vent port in said tube in the upper forward part of said annular space, and said tube being inclined forwardly through an angle greater than said predetermined angle so that said port is located above the maximum free liquid level in the reservoir-tube system when the iron is in said up-ended position of rest.

10. A steam iron comprising a pressing body having a soleplate provided with a pressing surface, a steam generator, means for heating said soleplate and generator, and passage means leading from said generator to said pressing surface, said body also having a reservoir, a discharge port in the lower part of said reservoir for discharging water to said generator, a needle valve controlling said port, a valve stem connected to said needle valve extending therefrom up into said reservoir, an operating shaft in said stem extending up therefrom through an opening provided for it in the top of said reservoir, connection means between said shaft and stem for rotating the stem by rotating the shaft and providing for a depression of said shaft relative to said stem, a fill tube fixed to said reservoir and extending upwardly around said shaft, a fill valve on said shaft closing the upper end of said tube and movable downwardly to an open position when said shaft is depressed, means biasing said shaft and fill valve upwardly to close the fill valve, a pin in said needle valve aligned with said port, means connecting said pin with said shaft so that it is retracted into said needle valve when said fill valve is closed, and is forced out through said port to clean it when said shaft is depressed to open said fill valve.

11. A steam iron comprising a pressing body having a soleplate pressing surface normally horizontal when in ironing position, a reservoir normally located above said pressing surface, said body also having a front end and a heel end, and support means for said body at said heel end lying in a plane normally inclined forwardly from the vertical through a predetermined angle and arranged to support said body in an up-ended non-ironing position of rest, a water fill tube fixed 6 to and normally extending up from the front end of said reservoir adjacent the front wall thereof, a vent port in the front forward part of said tube for venting the tube and reservoir, and said tube being normally inclined forwardly from 10 the vertical through an angle greater than said predetermined angle so that said port is located forwardly of said front wall when said iron is in its ironing position and above said front wall and at substantially the highest level of the reservoirl5 tube system when said iron is in said up-ended position of rest.

FRANK E. FINLAYSON.

REFERENCES crrnn Number 1,390,264 1,693.720 1,914,802 2,240,612 2,317,706 2,322,593

Number Name Date Allen et al Sept. 13, 1921 Lyons Dec. 4, 1928 Cochrane June 20, 1933 Ekstedt May 6, 1941 Woodman Apr. 27, 1943 Riddington et al. June 22, 1943 Envall June 6, 1944 Morton July 11, 1944 Waring et al July 11, 1944 Kistner Sept. 18, 1945 Hoecker Oct. 30, 1945 Morton Dec. 9, 1947 Edwards Oct. 4, 1949 Finlayson Feb. 28, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Sept. 30, 1940 

